Locking device for retractable tub washers



Feb. 10, 1953 F. BRECKENRIDGE 2,628,143

LOCKING DEVICE FOR RETRACTABLE TUB WASHERS Original Filed Oct. 19, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR FRANK BRECKENRIDGE BY 1% 75m;

ATTORNEYS Feb. 10, 1953 F. BRECKENRIDGE LOCKING DEVICE FOR RETRACTABLE TUB WASHERS Original Filed Oct. 19, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 4 f J i h T E E t x =1 i: i 2 m 1 i i v E 5 F3 m: I; T, i E 7 rl l FIG-2 N E em Rm OR m N E M f V E W R a B K N A RY F B ATTORNEYS Feb. 10, 1953 F. BRECKENRIDGE LOCKING DEVICE FOR RETRACTABLE TUB WASHERS Original Filed Oct. 19, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR FRANK BRECKENRIDGE BY f;

ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 19, 1953 UNITED Tar ossics LOCKING DEVICE FOR RETRACTABLE TUB WASHERS Original application October 19, 1948, Serial No.

Divided and this application October 6, 1951, Serial No. 250,165

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a retractable tub washing machine wherein the tub is adapted to be normally housed in a cabinet and which is adapted to be elevated when it is desired to use the same and constitutes an improvement on my Patent Number 2,481,193, issued under date of September 6, 1949.

The patent referred to above and the instant application, as well, relate to a washing machine having a cabinet within which is mounted a washing mechanism including a tub and wringer. The mechanism is arranged to move vertically in the cabinet to place the wringer in an exposed position above the cabinet when is desired to use the washer, and to place the wringer within the cabinet in a concealed position when the washer is to be left idle. A cover on top of the cabinet can then be used to convert it to a compact attractive unit when not in use and which also has available a flat-topped surface as a work space.

Also, by lowering the washing mechanism in the cabinet, the center of gravity of the machine is also lowered, so that it may be moved about with little likelihood that it will tip over, as can readily happen with a conventional washing machine having a heavy wringer fixed in an elevated position.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the structure for raising and lowering the washing and wringing mechanism in the cabinet; for retaining the mechanism in its upper and lower positions; and for guiding the mechanism during its raising and lowering movement.

A particular object of this invention is to provide sustaining mechanism for the tub in its elevated position which is responsive to the load in the tub for locking the sustaining mechanism from being operated to release the tub when the same is under a pre-determined load.

A further object or" this invention is to provide an arrangement for sustaining the tub of a retractable tub washing machine of the nature referred to which is extremely simple in construction but which is positive in operation.

Another object is the provision of an arrangement in a retractable tub washing machine for raising and lowering the tub and for looking it in its elevated position in which a minimum of eliort is required for moving the tub, but in which there is absolutely no possibility of the tub being accidently released from its elevated position.

This is a division case of, and co-pending with, my application, Serial No. 55,371, filed October 19, 1948.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through a cabinet and tub with parts in elevation illustrating this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation with parts in section, looking in the direction of the arrows in Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus with the cover removed;

Figure i is a fragmentary elevational view with parts in section showing the latching mechanism in unlatched position; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the latching mechanism in latching position.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a closed cabinet 1 which is substantially square and adapted for being closed at its top by a removable cover. A cylindrical wash tub 9 is supported in the cabinet for elevation when in use and for lowering when not in use. Upper brackets ii} are secured to the periphery of the tub and lower brackets l l are secured to the periphery of the tub in vertical alignment with the brackets l0. Rollers 52 are journaied in these brackets and these rollers travel in channel guide tracks l3 secured upon the inside of the casing wall.

It will be noted, particularly in Figure 3, that the brackets It and I! are positioned to one side of the center of the retractable tub and this is done for the purpose of guiding the tub in such a manner that a vertical plane passing through the center of gravity of the tub will also pass through the guiding rollers. In this manner there is a minimum of binding at the rollers and the tub can be raised and lowered with a minimum of efiort.

The lower brackets ll also carry rollers M as shown in Figure 2. Levers It with concave portions l5a engage under the rollers I5. These levers are pivoted at their outer ends on the cabinet as indicated at it and springs ii connect the levers with brackets i8 fixed in the upper part of the cabinet '5. Thus the springs ll elevate the tub and assist in supporting the same. However, positive means have been provided for sustaining the tub in elevated position. A part of this means is responsive to the load in the tub and coacts with certain other parts for locking the sustaining means against operation under load. One form of the tub sustaining means is shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5 and will now be set forth.

In Figure 1, it will be observed that levers l9 are pivoted adjacent the sides of the cabinet upon pivots 20. The lower ends of the levers l9 are connected by links 2| and 22 to opposite ends of a double crank '23 secured to a foot pedal shaft 24 journaled on brackets :25 upon the bottom of the cabinet and having operating pedal a. The links. extend through the levers I9 and.

and the pedal 25a isemployed for turning: the

shaft anti-clockwise.

In referring now to Figures 4 and 5, it will be noted that the upper ends of the levers I9 have inwardly offset heads I9'a which terminate in upwardly extending lugs I9b which might be termed locking lugs. Upon the brackets II on the tub there are secured upright spring bars 28 provided with spring half-loops 30. Upon the lower ends of the bars I I there are secured metal strips or fingers 29 which extend below the strips II and which are slightly offset at their lower ends toward the adjacent walls of the cabinet as indicated at 290.. The fingers 29 are located between the spring bars 28 and the brackets II and cooperate with the lugs I9b to form a lock. The curved spring is designed to flex at a predetermined load.

The spring 30 is assembled with a pre-determined loading so that when the lever I9 is swung thereunder as shown in Figure 4 with the locking lug I91) under the curved spring, the lower surface of the curved spring and the lower end of the finger will be in substantial alignment when the tub is empty. However, when the tub is loaded, the curved spring 30 will be depressed until the finger 29 is lowered into engagement with the top of the lever head and behind the locking lug I9b as shown in Figure 5. position, which is the loaded position of the tub, the levers I9 are locked against tub releasing movement. It will be understood that the yielding spring and locking mechanism are the same upon both sides of the tub. It might be here mentioned that when the tub is unloaded and released by the levers I9, it can be lowered into the cabinet and locked in lowered position against the tension of the springs I! by engaging the offset heads I 9a of the levers I9 over the tops Ila of the brackets II which are designed for such a purpose.

A novel clutch controlling mechanism has been provided that allows the tub to be raised and lowered without effecting the connection of the clutch with a control member on the cabinet. This mechanism is best shown in Figures 1 and 2. In referring to Figure 2, it will be observed that a clutch shifter wheel 3| is mounted outside of' the cabinet to rotate freely upon a stud 32 which is rigidly secured in a slot 34 in an outwardly offset portion 33 of the cabinet but which can be adjusted in the slot. This offset provides suitable clearance for the wheel. The cabinet may be formed with a suitable bead 35 around the periphery of the shifter wheel 3 I. The shifter wheel 3| has its central portion inwardly offset as indicated at 36 to receive a name plate 31 which is secured to a mounting plate 38 supported by the stud 32'. A bracket 39' which is welded or secured to the inwardly offset portion 36 of the wheel 3| carries a wrist pinstud 451' which is adapted to travel in an arcuate slot 41* in the wall of the cabinet. The wrist pin 4| extends within the cabinet and through a long: slot 42 (Figure 1) in an upright lever 43 which is pivoted at its lower end upon a pivot stud 44 mounted on the tub. The lever 43 is in the form of a bell crank lever having a right angled arm 4311 at its lower end. The arm 43a of the shifter lever 43 is pivotally connected to a link 45 which in turn is pivotally connected to a lever 46 rigidly connected to the agitator clutch operating shaft 41. Clutch operating shaft may be connected in any suitable and well-known manner for effecting engagement or disengagement of the agitator shaft of. the machine and the output shaft of the gear train driven by the motor 56.

The tub may be drained in any suitable way as by a hose 54 supported by a spring 55 as shown in Figure 2. But this involves no part of the present invention. The washing machine is adapted to be driven by a motor 56 suitably geared to the agitator drive gear 52 as is well known in the art.

The motor 56 is arranged to drive through a drive unit having a housing 60' of which the above-mentioned bearing 49 forms a part. The housing 60 also extends beyond the limits of the tub 9 and supports the wringer column 6| within which there is a rotatable shaft in the conventional manner driven by the motor 56 through driving means contained within the housing 60.

The wringer column BI is adapted for support-- ing a wringer at its upper end in a substantially conventional manner, as, for example, as is illustrated in connection with the above-identifled Breckenridge Patent No. 2,481,193. As explained previously, and also as set forth in the said Breckenridge patent, vertical movement of the washing mechanism will either place the wringer above the top of the cabinet or carry it down inside the cabinet.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention is mainly directed to the raising and lowering of the tube, and to the means for automatically locking the tub in its upper or operative position when loaded so that it cannot he accidentally lowered.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions, and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub mounted in said cabinet for elevating and lowering movement, means for sustaining the tub in elevated position, comprising a curved spring on the tub, a finger on said tube adjacent said spring and a lever pivoted on the cabinet having a head on its upper end with an upright locking lug engageable under said finger and spring when said tub is not loaded, said spring being adapted for flexing under load to cause said finger to engage said lug for locking said lever against movement for releasing said tub.

2. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub yieldingly supported in said cabinet for elevating and lowering movements, a depressible spring carried by said tub, a. lever on the cabinet swingable for engaging under said spring for sustaining said tub in its elevated position, said spring being adapted for flexing under load, and cooperating means between said tub and lever for looking said lever when said spring has been flexed.

3. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub yieldingly supported in said cabinet for elevating and lowering movements, means for sustain-- ing said tub in elevated position comprising a lever pivoted on the cabinet, coacting locking means between said lever and tub, and yielding means responsive to the load in said tub for bringing said locking means into locking relation, with the lever.

4. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub mounted in said cabinet for elevating and lowering movements, vertical brackets carried by said tub, levers pivoted to said cabinet and having upper offset heads adapted for engaging under said brackets for sustaining said tub in elevated position and adapted for engaging over the tops of said brackets when said tub is lowered for maintaining the same in lowered position, and means upon the lower ends of said brackets for locking said levers against movement in one direction.

5. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub mounted in said cabinet for elevating and lowering movement, means for sustaining the tub in elevated position, comprising a curved spring on the tub, a finger on said tub adjacent said spring and a lever pivoted on the cabinet having a head on its upper end with an upright locking lug engageable under said finger and spring when said tub is not loaded, said spring being adapted for flexing under load to cause said finger to engage said lug for locking said lever against movement for releasing said tub, said lever being resiliently urged toward its finger engaging position, and means operable from externally of said cabinet for moving said lever to finger disengaging position.

6. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub mounted in said cabinet and guided for vertical movement therein, downwardly projecting fingers carried on opposite sides of said tub, a curved spring on the inner side of each finger having a horizontal lower portion forming a continuation of the lower end surface of each finger, a lever pivoted inside the cabinet on each side and having an upstanding locking lug on the upper end, each said lever being movable when the tub is in its uppermost position so the said locking lug thereon is on the inside of the adjacent finger, whereby loading of the tub will cause flexing of the said springs thereby to bring about positive engagement of the lugs and fingers to lock the levers against movement to release said tub.

7. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub mounted in said cabinet and guided for vertical movement therein, downwardly projecting fingers carried on opposite sides of said tub, a curved spring on the inner side of each finger having a horizontal lower portion forming a continuation of the lower end surface of each finger, a lever pivoted inside the cabinet on each side and having an upstanding locking lug on the upper end, each said lever being movable when the tub is in its uppermost position so the said locking lug thereon is on the inside of the adjacent finger, whereby loading of the tub will cause flexing of the said springs thereby to bring about positive engagement of the lugs and fingers to lock the levers against movement to release said tub, a rock shaft in said cabinet, a lever on the rock shaft, links connecting the lever on the rock shaft with the levers pivoted inside the cabinet for moving them to their unlocking positions, and means on the shaft outside the cabinet for actuating the shaft.

8. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub mounted in said cabinet and guided for vertical movement therein, downwardly projecting fingers carried on opposite sides of said tub, a curved spring on the inner side of each finger having a horizontal lower portion forming a continuation of the lower end surface of each finger, a lever pivoted inside the cabinet on each side and having an upstanding locking lug on the upper end, each said lever being movable when the tub is in its uppermost position so the said locking lug thereon is on the inside of the adjacent finger, whereby loading of the tub will cause flexing of the said springs thereby to bring about positive engagement of the lugs and fingers to lock the levers against movement to release said tub, a rock shaft in said cabinet, a lever on the rock shaft, links connecting the lever on the rock shaft with the levers pivoted inside the cabinet for moving them to their unlocking positions, means on the shaft outside the cabinet for actuating the shaft, said links being connected for positively moving the said levers in their unlocking direction, and spring means acting between the links and the said levers for urging the levers resiliently toward their locking position.

9. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub in said cabinet guided for vertical movement therein, a bracket on each side of the tub, a lever pivoted inside the cabinet on each side and each having an inwardly offset head on its upper end adapted for engaging over the upper ends of said brackets for retaining the tub in its lower position, locking lugs upstanding from the upper ends of said offset heads adapted for engagement with the lower ends of said brackets when the tub is in its upper position, and curved springs on the lower ends of said brackets on the insides thereof, each said spring comprising a lower horizontal part forming a continuation of the lowermost end surface of the associated of said brackets, and said springs being adapted for flexing under load for causing said brackets to engage said lugs for preventing movement of said levers to a position to release said tub.

10. In a washing machine; a cabinet, a tub in said cabinet guided for vertical movement therein, a bracket on each side of the tub, a lever pivoted inside the cabinet on each side and each having an inwardly offset head on its upper end adapted for engaging over the upper ends of said brackets for retaining the tub in its lower position, locking lugs upstanding from the upper ends of said offset heads adapted for engagement with the lower ends of said brackets when the tub is in its upper position, and curved springs on the lower ends of said brackets on the insides thereof, each of said springs comprising a lower horizontal part forming a continuation of the lowermost end surface of the associated of said brackets, said springs being adapted for flexing under load for causing said brackets to engage said lugs for preventing movement of said levers to a position to release said tub, and resilient means connected between the cabinet and tub substantially counterbalancing the weight or" said tub when the same is unloaded.

FRANK BRECKENRIDGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,699,648 Willoughby Jan. 22, 1929 2,071,930 Hunter Feb. 23, 1937 2,481,193 Breckenridge Sept. 6, 1949 

